Here are City of Pasadena highlights for the week of August 3, 2009
CITY COUNCIL
The Pasadena City Council will meet Monday, Aug. 3, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber (S249) at Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave.
The agenda, complete with downloadable reports, is available
here.
The meeting will be televised live on KPAS and
via streaming video.
COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
The Historic Preservation Commission will meet Monday, Aug. 3, at 6 p.m. in the Hearing Room at the Permit Center, 175 N. Garfield Ave. Agenda items include advisory review of comments to the Planning Commission and City Council about amendment to master plan for Las Encinas Hospital, 2900 E. Del Mar Blvd.; and Mills Act update and guidelines.
The Aug. 3 meetings of the City Council Finance Committee and the City Council Public Safety Committee have been canceled.
The Accessibility and Disability Commission will meet Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 3 p.m. in the Grand Conference Room (basement S038) at Pasadena City Hall. Agenda items include distribution plan for ADA anniversary lapel buttons; list of possible ADA anniversary activities; update on planning for Reese’s Retreat play area; first draft of report on program access issues in city services; updated list of accessible pedestrian signal locations; planning for 2010 Rose Parade Accessible viewing areas; and review of public comments on first draft of updated ADA transition plan.
The Recreation and Parks Commission will meet Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 6 p.m. at Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. Holly St. Agenda items include update on city tennis program; and review of universally accessible play area equipment at Brookside Park.
The Pasadena Community Access Corporation Board will meet Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the “green room” at KPAS, 2061 N. Los Robles Ave., Suite 109. Agenda items include discussion of security measures at PCAC facility; and cable service providers public access plans.
The City Council Economic Development and Technology Committee (EdTech) will meet Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 6 p.m. in the Council Conference Room (S246) at Pasadena City Hall. Agenda items include proposed resolution authorizing the creation of a recovery zone under the provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for the purpose of issuing recovery zone economic development bonds.
The Zoning Hearing Officer will conduct public hearings Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 6 p.m. in the Hearing Room at the Permit Center, 175 N. Garfield Ave. Agenda items include sign exception to exceed the maximum allowed size of one square foot per commercial sign (and a total of four commercial signs per use) in a residential zoning district for a religious assembly use at 1590 E. Del Mar Blvd.; minor conditional use permit to allow on-site shared parking for an existing 74, 540-square-foot shopping center with 265 parking spaces at 85-161 W. California Blvd. (Vons Center); and (1) variance to reduce the required interior garage width for an existing attached one-car garaged at the rear of the property and (2) variance to allow an existing attached one-car garage to be located in the front of the property at 3203 Brandon St.
The Code Enforcement Commission will meet Thursday, Aug. 6, at 4 p.m. in the Hearing Room at the Permit Center, 175 N. Garfield Ave. Agenda items include recommendation for property owner to take corrective action within 30 days regarding overgrown vegetation that provides harborage to rats and other vermin at 1155 Linda Vista Ave.; recommendation for property owner to take corrective action within 10 calendar days regarding nuisance dogs at 1551 N. Catalina Ave.; update on appeal of Super Liquor at 125 E. Orange Grove Blvd. regarding operation of a public nuisance; update on appeal of a decision regarding accumulation of junk and debris at 976 Glen Oaks Blvd.; and update on construction without required building permits at 1015 N. Hudson Ave.
The Northwest Commission will meet Thursday, Aug. 6, at 6 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave. Agenda items include report from Human Resources Director Karyn Ezell on employee statistical reports; discussion of parking study; recommendation from staff regarding amendment of the art exemption regulation and ordinance; code enforcement update; update on Lincoln Avenue Specific Plan; General Plan update; and update on Heritage Square project.
UPCOMING EVENTS
All events are free unless otherwise noted.
Saturday, Aug. 18 p.m. –
FC Barcelona goes up against L.A. Galaxy in a soccer game with an expected attendance of 60,000. Tickets available through
TicketMaster. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Be prepared for extra traffic and activity if you live or work in the area. If you’re new to the neighborhood and don’t have a resident’s pass, get one right away because it’s the only way you’ll get through the barricades and to your home. Pick one up at the stadium administrative office, Pasadena Police Department, Fire Station #36 (1140 N. Fair Oaks Ave.) or Fire Station #38 (1150 Linda Vista Ave.). (626) 577-3100.
Monday, Aug. 31, 3:30 and 7 p.m. – Children will discover “Creative Critters” at Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd., where they’ll learn about animal body coverings and camouflage for survival of an invertebrate, amphibian, bird, reptile and mammal. (626) 744-7262.
Tuesday, Aug. 4* 10 and 11:15 a.m., 1 p.m. -- Children will discover “Creative Critters” at La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave., where they’ll learn about animal body coverings and camouflage for survival of an invertebrate, amphibian, bird, reptile and mammal. (626) 744-7268.
* 3 p.m. – “Creative Critters” will be at Hill Avenue Branch Library, 55 S. Hill Ave. (626) 744-7264.
* 5 to 8 p.m. -- A free event at Villa-Parke Community Center, 363 E. Villa St., celebrates National Night Out with children's activities, dancing, martial arts, boxing demonstrations, food, information about summer activities for children and teens, resources for health insurance and neighborhood organizing, and much more. (626) 744-6530.
Wednesday, Aug. 5*11 a.m. – “Creative Critters” at San Rafael Branch Library, 1240 Nithsdale Rd. (626) 744-7270.
* 3 p.m. – “Creative Critters” at Allendale Branch Library, 1130 S. Marengo Ave. (626) 744-7260.
* 6:30 p.m. – As we gear up for the update of Pasadena’s General Plan, city staff have met with a number of organizations in the community. The sheer reality of time prevents them from meeting with everybody, so we’re calling on neighborhood leaders, business owners and others to plan their own Do-It-Yourself (DIY) workshops! Workshop kits will be available at a briefing on Aug. 5 in the Fair Oaks Conference Room (basement room 039) at Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave. You’ll get an overview of the General Plan update process, a review of the DIY workshop kit contents, and step-by-step training on how to facilitate your own community workshop for your organization. (626) 744-6807.
More information here.
Thursday, Aug. 6* 10 and 11:30 a.m. – “Creative Critters” at Santa Catalina Branch Library, 999 E. Washington Blvd. (626) 744-7272.
* 10:30 a.m. – Teens are invited to a Monopoly tournament at Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St., with two 90-minute rounds plus pizza and beverages. Official rules will be followed. Registration is required: (626) 744-4766.
* 1 p.m. – “Creative Critters” at Lamanda Park Branch Library, 140 S. Altadena Dr. (626) 744-7266.
* 3 p.m. – “Creative Critters” at Linda Vista Branch Library, 1281 Bryant St. (626) 744-7278.
Saturday, Aug. 811 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Beat the heat with hot dogs and lemonade, rides, raffles, music and more at City Councilman Chris Holden’s District 3 block party on Jackson Street between El Molino and Los Robles. (626) 744-4738.
Saturday, Oct. 3, at 11 a.m. -- The Latino Heritage Parade will begin on Los Robles Avenue at Howard Street, head south to Washington Boulevard, then west to a jamaica/community fair at La Pintoresca Park with free arts and crafts, entertainment, exhibits and food until 4 p.m. There will be special themed storytelling at La Pintoresca Branch Library throughout the day. Wave to City of Pasadena officials in the parade and stop by the City of Pasadena booths at the jamaica! (626) 791-7421.
Sunday, Oct. 4, at 5 p.m. -- Join Pasadena City Councilman Terry Tornek for a walk through District 7. Meet at the Assistance League’s Craft Fair Gift Shop, 820 E. California Blvd. Parking is available in the lot at the shop and on Hudson Avenue. The walk, which will begin promptly at 5:15 p.m., will highlight scenic Arden Road and the Caltech campus, followed by a raffle and refreshments. For more information visit www.upandmoving.org or call District 7 Field Representative Pamela Thyret at (626) 744-4737. 
Have you taken one or more MoveAbout Tours yet as we prepare for the General Plan update? Download a guidebook at or pick one up at Pasadena Central Library and other locations. Be sure to include your feedback and return your booklets no later than Monday, Oct. 12. Let your voice be heard! (626) 744-4009.
You'll find plenty of other events on our online community calendar.
6:30 p.m. – “Streets, Traffic and Transit” is the topic of a panel discussion followed by plenty of audience Q&A at PCC’s Community Education Center, 3035 E. Foothill Blvd. as part of our General Plan update. Speakers are Ellen Greenberg, an expert in smart mobility, sustainable streets and transit-oriented development; and Philip Erickson, president of Community Design + Architecture and a planner, urban designer and architect with special expertise in city streets. (626) 744-4009.
* 6:30 p.m. – How can Pasadena’s bikeway system be improved? Bring your best ideas to a meeting at Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave. (626) 744-7254. 
* 3 p.m. – From parks to community centers, the City of Pasadena has plans for making structural improvements to public places so people with disabilities can use them safely and conveniently. Learn more at a community meeting hosted by the Accessibility and Disability Commission in the Grand Conference Room (basement room 038) at Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave. (626) 744-4762. 
* 6 to 10 p.m. – More than a dozen of our community’s finest institutions will open their doors for free during ArtNight Pasadena. Complimentary curb-to-curb shuttles will whisk you from one venue to the next. Be sure to stop by Pasadena Central Library, where the Crown City Chamber Players will perform classical hits. www.artnightpasadena.org. (626) 744-7887.
* 6 p.m. -- What's in store for the Hahamongna Watershed Park Annex? During the Hahamongna Watershed Park Advisory Committee meeting at La Casita del Arroyo, 177 S. Arroyo Blvd., there will be an update on the Sunset Overlook project plus an update and consideration of recommendations on adoption of the park master plan amendment for the annex. (626) 744-4321.
* 6:30 p.m. – As part of our General Plan update, help map out the most important qualities and characteristics of Pasadena and define the community’s most pressing issues during a workshop at Boys & Girls Clubs of Pasadena, 3230 E. Del Mar Blvd. (626) 744-4009.
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – The family-friendly water conservation fair at Allendale Park will include demonstrations, information about how to save water and plan drought-tolerant gardens, lots of freeebies, food prepared by our very own firefighters, children’s activities and plenty of fun. 
10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Are you trying to get a grant but don’t know how to begin? Staff from Flintridge Foundation will be on hand at La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave., to show you how to generate targeted lists of funding prospects in seconds. Reserve your spot by calling (626) 449-0839.
* 6:30 p.m. – What do you get when you seat a full-time parent next to a retired machinist, a graphic arts student and a nurse who works the night shift? Enlightening conversations! Lend your voice during a series of community workshops about the General Plan during which you'll help map out the most important qualities and characteristics of Pasadena and define the community’s most pressing issues. Tuesday’s workshop will be at Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave. (626) 744-4009.
Take one or more of the self-guided MoveAbout Tours on your own or with family, friends or neighbors. The final day for taking the tours has been extended by popular demand -- the guidebooks are flying off our public counters so we've done a second printing. (You're seeing it here first; I'm not announcing the extension until Monday.) Download the entire guidebook or print it out one tour at a time. Be sure to get your "passport" pages stamped at the stops that are listed so you'll eligible for prizes at our big General Plan open house in November. Be sure to turn in your guidebooks, complete with your written impressions, no later than Oct. 12. This is one of many activities planned in association with Pasadena's General Plan update. (626) 744-4009.
